by Mia Palazzo CTNewsJunkie
HARTFORD, CT – Democrats and healthcare leaders on Friday warned of devastating consequences for nearly a million of Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents if proposed cuts to Medicaid become law.
During a news conference at the Legislative Office Building, Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, and Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, said the proposed reductions in federal Medicaid funding would severely impact vulnerable communities, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those requiring mental health services.
“In the state of Connecticut, nearly a million residents receive their healthcare through our Medicaid program,” Gilchrest said. “We’re talking about services for those with autism. We’re talking about nursing home care. We’re talking about services for those with mental health issues, the intellectual developmental disability community.”
The proposed federal cuts would force states to either make up the difference through increased taxes or reduce the services available to Medicaid recipients.
“Medicaid is a state-federal partnership,” Lesser said. “If the federal government refuses to pay its share, states like Connecticut would have to make impossible budget decisions. This isn’t just about blue states or red states. It’s a nationwide crisis.”
According to the Senate Democrats, if the cuts focus on reversing the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the state would need to increase it’s spending 23.5% – or $850 million – to make up the difference.
Healthcare professionals at the event echoed concerns about the potential impact on medical providers and patients. Dr. Josh Jones, a primary care physician in Hartford, spoke about the real-world effects of Medicaid cuts on his patients.
“These aren’t just numbers. These are people I see every day. Friends, neighbors, community members,” Jones said. “If they can’t afford their medication for chronic conditions like COPD or diabetes, their health and lives are at risk.”
Jones also noted the implications for addiction treatment and gender-affirming care, expressing concern that many of his patients would be left without access to necessary medical services.
Sabrina Trocchi, president and CEO of Wheeler Health, emphasized the ripple effect these cuts would have on healthcare systems across the state.
“We serve over 440,000 patients, of which over 60%, approximately 260,000, are Medicaid patients,” Trocchi said. “If these cuts go through, we’ll see devastating effects across our healthcare system, from hospitals to mental health services to gender-affirming care.”
Trocchi also said healthcare workers already are seeing fear and uncertainty from patients who depend on Medicaid for essential services.
Beyond patient care, speakers also warned about the economic impact of the proposed Medicaid cuts. The healthcare industry is one of the largest employers in many Connecticut communities, and reduced Medicaid funding could lead to hospital closures, job losses, and decreased access to medical services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“Our healthcare workforce is significant, and in many communities, hospitals are the largest employer,” Gilchrest said. “If we cut Medicaid, we’re going to see a ripple effect impacting jobs and local economies.”
The lawmakers called on the public to take action by contacting their representatives and advocating against the proposed Medicaid reductions.
“We’ve seen that when people stand up and speak out, it makes a difference,” Gilchrest said. “We need to keep fighting for our communities.”
Lesser and Gilchrest said Connecticut Democrats remain committed to protecting Medicaid recipients and ensuring access to essential healthcare services, and they urged bipartisan cooperation at the federal level to prevent what they described as one of the largest threats to public health funding in recent history.
The General Assembly’s Republican leadership, however, described the Democrats’ news conference as ironic, suggesting that they should look at their own policies with respect to preserving Medicaid funding.
“There’s irony in Democrats holding a press conference to decry a Medicaid crisis in Connecticut — one they’re contributing to,” wrote Sen. Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, in an emailed statement. “Their hospital provider tax structure is now under federal scrutiny, and their push to expand free healthcare for illegal immigrants is diverting funds from essential services.”
They continued: “Time and again, they reject efforts to curb waste, fraud, and abuse, refusing even basic, common-sense reforms—like helping able-bodied individuals return to work. If Democrats truly want to protect services for Connecticut residents, they should work with federal officials to fix the broken system instead of spending their time in front of a microphone.”